The expectation was that the man who had waited longer than anyone would be full of enthusiasm, ready to reform the British royal house. Has it happened? A walk in a neighborhood park in London gives a fair picture of the British view of Charles III: – He has been quite quiet. – He has not done as much as the queen did. – He has not accomplished anything in particular. Do we sense a disappointment? It is possible that he created too high expectations for himself. The agenda that disappeared As Crown Prince, or Prince of Wales, Charles was concerned with climate and the environment, children and young people, traditional agriculture and architecture. He had an agenda, made things happen. To the delight of some, the outrage of others. King Charles was crowned on 6 May this year. Photo: LEON NEAL / AFP Now the British are struggling to see where the commitment of the monarch Charles lies. It was expected that he would slim down “The Firm”, modernize the British royal house, turn the tide. Instead, the ship seems to be sailing on in the same waters as before. Queen Elizabeth’s passing after 70 years on the throne was a shock to many Britons. An era was over. The stability was gone. Something new and unknown was on its way. Stability in troubled times The stability the queen represented was particularly in demand around her death. Two days earlier she had welcomed a new prime minister. Political Britain was in crisis. Brexit, the pandemic, “party gate” and war had left their mark on both political leadership and the people’s trust in it. It was only a few weeks before King Charles also had to welcome a new prime minister. Liz Truss’ tenure in Downing Street was record short. In less than two summer months, the British had three prime ministers. And thus two monarchs. Queen Elizabeth celebrated her then 70-year-old son and crown prince five years ago. Photo: Joel Ryan / APDQueen Elizabeth celebrated her then 70-year-old son and crown prince five years ago. Photo: Joel Ryan / AP A monarchy can offer continuity where politics is volatile. The people do not choose their king or queen. The monarch is there whether you like it or not. It can be for both good and bad, depending on the monarch’s intentions and abilities, but it is stable while it lasts. Bad timing The timing of the expected major upheavals in the royal household has not been the best for Charles. People have barely been able to afford food and a roof over their heads. The country’s economy is in crisis, 7 million Britons are on the health care queue and the asylum policy is dividing the people. The king seems to have prioritized continuity, perhaps to be a kind of counterweight to crises and political chaos. Besides, he is king in a conservative country. Not everyone will be happy about major changes in such a tradition-heavy institution. Lack of action Despite his long time in the leather for this job, the soon-to-be 75-year-old monarch must have been surprised by how much work it is to be king, we are to believe The Times newspaper. There, an anonymous source close to the king says that “the increased workload came as an unexpected burden on him”. At the same time, he is more comfortable in the role he has now than before, according to the newspaper’s sources. He is described as impatient to get something done in his fighting matters. There are also his minions in the park in London. news meets gardener Colin Beaney in a park in London. He is one of those who believe the king has been invisible.news meets the gardener Colin Beaney in a park in London. He is one of those who believe the king has been invisible. – I expected more action in environmental matters. – He should give back objects the royal house has received from former colonial states and deal with slavery. – He enjoys traveling the world, but he doesn’t satisfy many people, I think. The Carolingian era One year into his reign, it is difficult to see a clear direction for King Charles’ period, which is called the Carolingian era. It is a challenge to be apolitical and at the same time committed. But then something happens: It is expected that King Charles will soon launch a project to prevent edible food from being thrown away. According to The Times, he thinks it is absurd that tons of food are thrown away while people are starving. He does not rule out participating in the UN’s major climate conferences. In various ways, he has shown an interest in the situation of refugees and immigrants. King Charles is going on a state visit to France this autumn, a visit that was canceled due to riots earlier. He also has several other foreign assignments on the horizon. So that’s why he doesn’t do anything. But he doesn’t do what people expected him to do differently from his mother. Prince William is more popular It is true that Charles III is moving up in the popularity polls, but perhaps it is significant that Queen Elizabeth still reigns supreme. Prince William and Duchess Kate together with the Norwegian crown prince couple in Windsor this winter. Photo: Simen Sund / The Royal Court / NTB Prince William and Duchess Kate together with the Norwegian crown prince couple in Windsor this winter. Photo: Simen Sund / The Royal Court / NTB The current Prince of Wales, Prince William, is more popular than his father. Two out of three (67%) tell polling institute YouGov that they have a positive impression of him, while just over half (55%) say the same about the king. It may seem that King Charles has settled down to represent continuity and stability. Had Charles been younger and the time different, he might have become a more radical king. The reforms could have been more. Haste After a year, it seems that he will leave it to his son to make the big upheavals in the British royal house. And maybe it won’t be too long, people in the park wonder: – I don’t see Charles as king for very long. Because he realizes that people would rather have William, who is younger. But there is also comfort to be found: – It is not a king’s constitutional role to achieve anything. He must unite the people. And I think Charles has done that. King Charles with Queen Camilla by his side. She is said to be of great support to her husband in his kingship. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFPKing Charles with Queen Camilla by his side. She is said to be of great support to her husband in his kingship. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP Many would disagree that the British are particularly united. They seem more divided in their view of the monarchy than before, as in most matters these days. Polarization and factions characterize both the public and neighbourhoods. Where the mother had 70 years to create her legacy, Charles has so far only had one. It is too early to put two lines under the answer to what kind of king he is or will be. But if he is to put his stamp on the British royal house, he must do it soon. He turns 75 in November. His time on the throne will be shorter than his mother’s. And while people in the park are talking about abdication, his popular son is waiting in the wings.
ttn-69
Where is King Charles? – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
